8 Best Mini Projectors That Will Transform Any Wall Into a Movie Theater

The XGIMI MogoPro offers everything you’d want in a mini projector, and then some. Most importantly, it delivers a bright Full HD picture up to 100 inches in size.

The projector stands under 6 inches tall and weighs less than 2 pounds, so it’s one of the most portable projectors you can buy. We appreciate that it provides users with a choice of two video inputs: HDMI and USB 2.0 for offline viewing.

Since the MogoPro has Wi-Fi and runs Android TV, you can download plenty of streaming apps like HBO Max, Hulu, and Disney+ for shows and movies to stream or cast video from your smartphone.

The device has built-in Harmon Kardon speakers, which sound better than most other projectors, but if you prefer an even fuller sound, the device supports Bluetooth output which sends audio to a louder wireless speaker.

The biggest downside to the projector is that by default it doesn’t have Netflix, meaning users have to jump through a few hoops to download it. You can expect around 2 hours of battery life before the mini projector will need to be plugged in. Fortunately, it comes with an 8-foot-long power cable.

More: Home Theater Projectors for an Indoor Movie Night

Measuring less than 2 inches thick and just 7 inches tall and wide, the XGIMI Elfin lives up to its “mini” moniker. It’s actually one of the smallest mini projectors we’ve come across — it weighs just 2 pounds and fits in the palm of your hand. Don’t let its small size fool you; this projector is able to project an image up to 200 inches in size.

The projector is upward-compatible and doesn’t struggle with streaming 4K HDR content. What this means is that even though it doesn’t output the video in true 4K, you’re still able to play 4K videos without getting a blurry image. And since this projector has a full 1080p resolution, it offers some of the best image quality you can achieve on a portable projector.

Compared to the similar-looking Anker Nebula Solar projector, this one delivers an impressive and brighter 800 ANSI lumen brightness rating. The Anker, on the other hand, has a 400 ANSI lumen rating so colors on the XGIMI appear more vibrant and radiant looking. Not only that, you’re able to use it in well-lit rooms — even during the day.

Lastly, it’s worth mentioning that this projector relies on an AC adapter for power and is not equipped with a battery — so it’s best for use indoors since you need an outlet to keep it on. Fortunately, it runs Android, so you can easily connect it to your home Wi-Fi network and download your favorite streaming apps.

Like our best overall pick, the MoGo Pro, installing Netflix requires a few workarounds. Regardless, the Elfin is an excellent projector that delivers outstanding image and audio quality in a lightweight and portable body.

The XGIMI Halo+ is, without a shadow of a doubt, one of the best portable projectors you can buy. It has an impressive array of features and a higher brightness rating of 900 ANSI lumens, so you can watch in any light without any worry of having to draw the curtains.

What separates the XGMI Halo+ apart from other projectors is its impressive picture quality. It has a native resolution of 1920x1080 pixels (and can accept 4K HDR signals to boot) and provides viewers a better contrast ratio and brighter, more lifelike images that immediately draw you in with their exceptional detail.

The projector runs one of the most up-to-date versions of Android TV, so you can easily download your favorite apps to stream video and music. It even has Chromecast and Google Assistant built in to quickly mirror your smartphone's display or control playback with your voice.

Another nifty feature is its onboard “intelligent obstacle avoidance system." Basically, the projector can automatically detect objects within its projection area and will automatically resize and move the image to avoid them. You can see it for yourself in this YouTube video!

The projector is equipped with dual 5-watt Harmon Kardon speakers that will fill your living room with crisp and immersive audio.

It packs all the connectivity options you could possibly want, too. There’s an HDMI ARC port, which will come in handy for gaming, a USB-A port for playing downloaded content, and a headphone jack and Bluetooth support for audio. Really, our only complaint is that the projector relies on a bulky brick-like AC adapter for power that takes up too much room.

Measuring 4.5x5.7 inches, the projector is easily portable but is larger than other options in this guide. If you’re willing to pay a premium for a brighter and more detailed picture, support for 3D, and a convenient onboard Android user interface with Chromecast support, the Halo+ is definitely worth considering.

The BenQ GS50 is a premium cube-shaped mini projector that runs on the Android TV operating system. What sets the GS50 apart from most other mini projectors is that this one is IPX2-rated, which means it's resistant to light splashes and rain.

We’re big fans of its green-and-white color scheme and love its brown leather strap. Not only does it look great, but the projector is even drop-resistant.

As far as video quality is concerned, the projector dishes out a crisp image with a resolution of 1920x1080 pixels, which is better than most. The projector has 500 ANSI lumens of brightness, meaning it’s bright enough for both indoor and outdoor use. And with an estimated runtime of 2.5 hours, you should have enough juice to get through an entire movie.

Really, the biggest downside to the BenQ is its steep $800 asking price. If you can swing it, don’t hesitate! The projector’s ruggedized design makes this option the perfect mini projector for camping. Combine that with its impressive sound and picture quality, and it’s practically a no-brainer.

The Capsule by Anker checks all the boxes for what a mini projector should be. It's reasonably priced but doesn't feel cheap. It dishes out a clear image and outstanding sound quality. Plus, it packs 4 hours of battery life, so you won't ever need to worry about it dying before your movie is over.

Compared to the similar Nebula Capsule II and Nebula Apollo projector, the picture quality from this device isn't as bright or detailed. Checking in at a resolution of 854x480 pixels, it's not even high-definition and it doesn't focus automatically like our best picture pick.

However, we think that the image quality is good enough for most users, and because of the projector's cylindrical design, it offers a full 360-degree sound. Out of any projector we've tested or researched, this one has the best design. It's small and lightweight, and its unique soda-can shape and size truly let you take it anywhere.

Although we wish that it charged using a USB-C port instead of MicroUSB, this projector is still a great buy considering its outstanding balance between price, performance, features, and portability.

Read More: Our Full Review of the Nebula Capsule

The Nebula Capsule Max is quite similar to the aforementioned Capsule projector, but it's about 18% thicker and an inch taller. What sets it apart is its picture quality. With this model, you get a 720p resolution image that's twice as bright. More pixels makes for a much more detailed picture and a more immersive experience.

The Capsule Max creates an image up to 100 inches in size, and it features a built-in, 8-watt speaker that's louder and clearer than other projectors in its price range. And since the projector runs the Android TV operating system, you can easily stream your favorite videos and music from several apps.

Compared to the similarly named Capsule II projector, this one charges using an AC adapter instead of a USB-C port, meaning it isn't as versatile or quick to recharge. The Capsule II also has Chromecast tech onboard, meaning you can quickly “cast” videos on YouTube or other streaming apps from your phone to the projector in just seconds — a feature this model lacks.

Overall, the Capsule II Max is a much better buy considering its extreme versatility and portability.

Compared to Anker's Nebula Capsule line, its Mars II Pro portable projector is significantly larger. Fortunately, this one has a convenient leather-like handle for easy transport, as well as a fuller sound and a much bigger picture. It packs a 1280x720 resolution, a convenient autofocus function, and dual 10-watt audio drivers that deliver a full cinematic sound that's much louder and clearer than the AAXA P6X projector.

The Mars II Pro is just as versatile as the Nebula Capsule and features built-in Wi-Fi, an HDMI jack for hooking up video game consoles, and several downloadable apps for quick and easy streaming. It projects images up to 150 inches and has a battery that lasts just over 3 hours.

Although this model costs $50 more than the similar Nebula Mars II, it's brighter and has better color accuracy. But if you want more portability without sacrificing resolution or battery life, we recommend going with the Nebula Capsule Max instead.

The device is capable of projecting a 120-inch HD picture at more than 400 lumens, making it suitable for use during the day.

Plus, the P6X projector offers a wide range of connectivity options, including HDMI, composite AV, USB, and microSD. All these ports will come in handy when you need to share your computer screen in an office setting.

At about 6 inches long and 6 inches wide, the P6X is small enough to toss in a bag, but it doesn't feature an onboard operating system, which slightly hinders its portability. You'll have to use a streaming device, connect it to your laptop over HDMI, play files on USB drives, or use a memory card instead.

But if you want a bright projector to use in a classroom or office setting, this mini projector is still a good bet, though!